Post-nasal drip: symptoms, causes and treatment - myDr.com.au
Post-nasal drip describes the feeling of mucus secretions moving down the back of the throat, often causing cough. Read on for treatment.
Post-nasal drip
Key facts
- Post-nasal drip is when mucus from your nose or sinuses drips down the back of your throat.
- If you have post-nasal drip, you may cough, have a blocked or runny nose and feel the need to clear your throat.
- Common causes of post-nasal drip include viral infections, sinus infections and hay fever.
- Treatment of post-nasal drip usually involves treating the cause and using a saline nasal rinse.
- Post-nasal drip can cause complications such as chronic cough and pharyngitis.
What is post-nasal drip?
Post-nasal drip is when mucus from your nose or sinuses drips down the back of your throat. This can sometimes cause a cough.
If you have post-nasal drip, you may feel a sense of fullness at the back of your nose, cough frequently and want to clear your throat.
What causes post-nasal drip?
There are many common causes of post-nasal drip, including:
- hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
- sinusitis — inflammation of the hollow spaces between and behind the eyes, forehead and cheeks
- viral infections, such as a cold
- reflux
- tumour — this is rare
- nasal polyps
Post-nasal drip has also been linked with reflux. Reflux can contribute to swelling and increased mucus in your nose and throat, which can result in post-nasal drip.
When should I see my doctor?
See your doctor if symptoms of post-nasal are bothering you, interfering with work or sleep and not getting better with treatment.
How is the cause of post-nasal drip diagnosed?
Your doctor can diagnose post-nasal drip by asking questions about your symptoms and by examining you.
If you've had post-nasal drip for a long time, you may need further tests such as endoscopy or imaging tests.
How is post-nasal drip treated?
The treatment for post-nasal drip depends on what is causing it and can include self-care at home, medicines and a procedure.
Self-care at home
There are several things you can do to help ease symptoms:
- Use a saline (salt water) nasal spray or nasal rinse. Ask your pharmacist which one will suit you best.
- Gargle with salt water daily.
- Avoid anything that triggers post-nasal drip — for example, avoid sour and spicy foods if reflux triggers your post-nasal drip.
Some people find that sleeping with their head raised slightly helps reduce symptoms, especially if acid reflux is contributing to post-nasal drip.
Medicines for post-nasal drip
If you have post-nasal drip, your doctor may suggest medicines such as:
- antihistamines
- decongestant medicines
- steroid nasal sprays
- allergy shots if symptoms are caused by allergies
These medicines may help relieve your symptoms.
If your post-nasal drip is caused by sinusitis from a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
If your post-nasal drip is triggered by allergies, treating your allergy or reducing the symptoms may also help reduce your post-nasal drip.
Other treatment options
Your doctor may recommend a procedure to help with your symptoms. These may include:
- posterior nasal nerve ablation — your doctor removes some nerves that increase mucus production.
- inferior turbinate reduction — your doctor shrinks the lining of your nose.
What are the complications of post-nasal drip?
Some people with post-nasal drip develop a chronic (ongoing) cough, which can be uncomfortable but is not usually dangerous. Post-nasal drip can also cause pharyngitis (a sore throat).
Can post-nasal drip be prevented?
Post-nasal drip cannot always be prevented.
If your post-nasal drip is due to hay fever, you can try to reduce your symptoms by avoiding things you are allergic to. If you don't know what is triggering your hay fever, speak with your doctor — they can refer you for allergy tests.
Resources and support
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) (Opens in new tab) has information on sinusitis, hay fever and allergies.
Learn more about chronic sinusitis (Opens in new tab) at Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia.
Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
NACCHO can help you find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) or Affiliate (Opens in new tab) near you.
Languages other than English
If you need an interpreter, ask your doctor or call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) (Opens in new tab) on 131 450.
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Last reviewed: June 2026
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